Portable inhalant filter device

ABSTRACT

A device and method of use thereof enable a portable device to be moveably disposed between a smoker and an output access point of a smoking pipe. The device temporarily forms a channel for inhalants to pass from a smoking pipe to a user&#39;s mouth. The smoking pipe may be selected from at least two different pipe structures. A cross section of the channel may be circular, orthogonal or elliptical. The device may include a particulate filter positioned between an inhalant input location and inhalant output location of the device. The filter may be insertable and removable from the tube. A source ledge may extend outward from the inhalant input location and/or a mouth end ledge may extend beyond a cross-section of the channel. A plurality of removable mouthpieces may be alternatively coupled and removed from the inhalant output location. The mouthpiece or a source piece may be elastic.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to inhalant devices that enablea user to intentionally breathe in vapor and gasses generated by burningor combusting one or more materials. More particularly, the presentinvention relates generally to methods and devices that provide achannel between an output of an inhalant source and a user's mouth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not beassumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in thebackground section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the backgroundsection or associated with the subject matter of the background sectionshould not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the priorart. The subject matter in the background section merely representsdifferent approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

Human beings have been inhaling vapors and gasses through dedicated pipedesigns for centuries. A smoking pipe is a device made to allow a userto inhale smoke or vapor, wherein inhalant is usually generated by theburning or vaporization of some substance contained within the pipe. Thetobacco pipe is the most commonly known type of smoking pipe in usetoday, although most tobacco pipes may be used with many othersubstances. Smoking pipes are manufactured in a wide variety of shapesand with a wide variety of materials, such as organic materials, glass,porcelain, ebonite, acrylic and other materials.

Prior art smoking pipes are built is multitudes of shapes and sizes.Optional features of smoking pipe designs include filter sections,disposable filters, removably attachable mouth pieces and heatinsulating materials positioned to protect the user's from being burned.All of these prior art features have been employed in particular smokingpipe designs to safeguard a smoker's health by, alternatively, filteringout toxic or unpleasant materials prior to inhaling by a smoker of apipe output gas mixture, decreasing transmission of communicablediseases by providing individualized mouth pieces, or insulating asmoker from contact with heat generated within a smoking pipe.

Yet the prior art smoking pipe components tend to be specific toindividual pipe designs and allow only limited use across varieties ofdistinguishable smoking pipe designs. In one common prior art variation,the aperture of a smoking pipe from the which the gas mixture isexternally accessible, e.g., an opening of a pipe stem, may bedimensioned within a wide range of widths, shapes and inner diameters.In addition, the structure of the prior art pipe that forms the pipeaperture may present a thin lip, a thick lip, a flat surface, a curvedsurface, a rough surface, or an uneven surface in wide varieties ofsmoking pipes, including calabash pipes, hookahs, gourd pipes, spoonpipes, water pipes, chillum pipes, kiseru pipes, midwakh pipes and othersmoking pipes known in the art.

Smokers are often idiosyncratic in their preferences of smokingsubstances and inhalant treatment, such as tobacco, tobacco productingredients and inhalant filter materials, yet the prior art fails tooptimally enable a user to individualize the pathway formed between agiven smoking pipe and a user's mouth. There is therefore a long feltneed for devices and methods that enable a user to form a channel forinhalants positionable by the user between an output of a plurality ofsmoking pipe shapes and protective of the user's mouth and health.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Towards these and other objects of the method of the present invention(hereinafter, “the invented method”) that are made obvious to one ofordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, theinvented method provides a device that accepts an inhalant from a sourceat a source end of a channel and allows the inhalant to pass or be drawnthrough the channel and to a mount and/or nose of a user.

Certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention includea (a.) channel element that forms a sidewall extending along a centralaxis, the sidewall forming a channel disposed between the mouth end anda source end, the mouth end positioned distally along the central axisfrom the source end; (b.) a mouth feature positioned at the mouth end,the mouth feature exposing no more than a total cross sectional area ofthe channel normal to the central axis; and (c.) a source featurepositioned at the source end, the source piece comprising an extendingelement that forms an opening, whereby an inhalant enters the channelthrough the source opening and exits through the mouth feature.

Certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention form achannel for inhalants to pass from a smoking pipe to a user's mouth,wherein the smoking pipe may be selected from at least two differentpipe structures. A cross section of the channel normal to the centralaxis of the channel may be circular, orthogonal, elliptical or othersuitable shape.

Certain still alternate preferred embodiments of the present inventioninclude a particulate filter positioned between a source end and aninhalant exit end of a channel. The filter may be insertable andremovable from the channel and/or disposable and reusable. The filtermay be or comprise a particulate filtering material, to include but notlimited to activated carbon, a particulate filtering material, aparticulate filtering paper, and/or a smoke permeable wrapping.

In certain yet alternate preferred embodiments of the present inventiona source ledge may extend outward from and beyond a cross-section of thechannel. Alternatively or additionally, an inhalant exit ledgepositioned distally from the source end may extend outward from andbeyond a cross-section of the channel.

In certain other alternate preferred embodiments of the presentinvention a plurality of removable mouthpieces may be alternativelycoupled and removed from the inhalant output location. Alternatively oradditionally, one or more mouthpieces may be elastic and comprisesilicone or other suitable elastic material known in the art.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is madebelow with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numeralsrepresent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an assembled first preferred embodimentof the present invention (hereinafter, “the first device”) and includinga first tube with a circular cross-section

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the first device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an exploded side view of the first device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an assembled second preferredembodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, “the second device”)and including a second tube with an orthogonal cross-section;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the second device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is an exploded side view of the second device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an assembled third preferred embodimentof the present invention (hereinafter, “the third device”) and includinga third tube with an elliptical cross-section;

FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the third device of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an exploded side view of the third device of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternate first source piece of thefirst device of FIG. 1A, wherein alternate first source piece includes afirst extended ledge;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an alternate second source piece of thesecond device of FIG. 2A, wherein the alternate second source pieceincludes a second extended ledge;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of an alternate third source piece of thethird device of FIG. 3A, wherein the alternate third source pieceincludes a third extended ledge;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an additional alternate first sourcepiece of the first device of FIG. 1A, wherein the additional alternatefirst source piece forms an alternate intake aperture;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an additional alternate second sourcepiece of the second device of FIG. 2A, wherein the additional secondsource piece forms an alternate second intake aperture;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of an additional alternate third sourcepiece of the third device of FIG. 3A, wherein the additional alternatethird source piece forms an alternate third intake aperture;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternate first mouth piece of thefirst device of FIG. 1A, wherein the alternate first mouth piece formsan alternate first mouth opening;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an alternate second mouth piece of thesecond device of FIG. 2A, wherein the alternate second mouth piece formsan alternate second mouth opening;

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of an alternate third mouth piece of thethird device of FIG. 3A, wherein the alternate third mouth piece formsan alternate second mouth opening;

FIG. 7 is a cut-away side view of an invented unitary pipe that containsa filter disposed and captured between a stem piece and a bowl piece;

FIG. 8A is a cut-away side view of an invented second pipe that containsa filter removably disposed and between a detachable stem piece and adetachable bowl piece;

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the three detachable elements of thesecond pipe of FIG. 8A, namely the removable and replaceable filter, thedetachable stem piece and the detachable howl piece;

FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view of an invented water pipe that contains awater pipe filter removably disposed and between a detachable water pipestem piece and a detachable water pipe bowl piece; and

FIG. 10 is a cut-away side view of an invented e-cigarette that co analternate removable filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerousdetails, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described.However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that theinvention can be adapted for any of several applications.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularaspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course,vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is notintended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention willbe limited only by the appended claims. Methods recited herein may becarried out in any order of the recited events which is logicallypossible, as well as the recited order of events.

Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in thesmaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject toany specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or bothof those included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methodsand materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claimsmay be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statementis intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusiveterminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with therecitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1A, FIG.1A is a perspective view of a first device 100 in an assembled state andincluding a first circular tube 102 presenting a circular cross-sectionnormal to the central axis A. The first device 100 is preferablysymmetric about the central axis A.

The first device 100 includes the first circular tube 102, a first mouthpiece 104 and a first source piece 106. Both the first mouth piece 104and the first source piece 106 are shaped to detachably couple bydetachable friction fit with opposite circular ends 102A & 102B of thefirst circular tube 102. The first mouth piece 104 forms a first mouthopening 104A that extends entirely through the first mouth piece 104.The first source piece 106 forms a first aperture 106A (as shown inFIGS. 1B and 1C) that extends entirely through the first source piece106. The first mouth piece 104 and/or the first source piece 106 may beor comprise an durable elastic material, such as silicone, or othersuitable durable elastic material known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1B, FIG.1B is an exploded perspective view of the first device 100. The firstcircular tube 102 presents both and a circular inner perimeter 102C anda circular outer perimeter 102D. A first filter element 108 is shapedand sized to fit within the first circular tube 102 while the firstmouth piece 104 and the first source piece 106 are each respectivelycoupled to different opposite circular ends 102A & 102B of the firstcircular tube 102 by respective detachable friction fits. The firstfilter element 108 may be or comprise a particulate filtering material108A, to include a particulate filtering material, such as but notlimited to activated carbon or other suitable toxin or chemicalcomponent filtering material known in the art, and/or a particulatefiltering paper 108B, such as but not limited to a suitablesmoke-permeable toxin-filtering or chemical component filtering sheet orwrapping known in the art. The first filter element 108 is optionallydisposable and/or reusable.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1C, FIG.1C is an exploded. side view of the first device 100. The first mouthpiece 104 includes a first upper piece 104B attached to a first mouthside stopper 104C, wherein first the mouth opening 104A extends entirelythrough both the first upper piece 104B and the first mouth side stopper104C. The first mouth side stopper 104C is sized and shaped to establisha detachable friction fit with when manually pressed into the firstcircular tube 102 at either first tube end 102A & 102B of the firstcircular tube 102. The first source piece 106 includes a first sourceledge 106B attached to a first source side stopper 106C, wherein thefirst source aperture 106A extends entirely through both the firstsource ledge 106B and the first source side stopper 106C. The firstsource side stopper 106C is sized and shaped to establish a detachablefriction fit with the first circular tube 102 when manually pressed intothe first circular tube 102 at either first, tube end 102A & 102B of thefirst circular tube 102.

The first source piece aperture 106A has a cross sectional area in aplane normal to the central axis A that is preferably less than one halfor possibly less than one quarter of a cross sectional area of a firstsource piece outer perimeter 106D of the first source piece 106. crosssectional area in a plane normal to the central axis A

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2A, FIG.2A is a perspective view of a second device 200 in an assembled stateand including a second orthogonal tube 202 presenting an orthogonalcross-section normal to the central axis A. The second device 200 ispreferably symmetric about the central axis A.

The second device 200 includes the second orthogonal tube 202, a secondmouth piece 204 and a second source piece 206. Both the second mouthpiece 204 and the second source piece 206 are shaped to couple by adetachable friction fit with opposite orthogonal ends 202A & 202B of thesecond orthogonal tube 202. The second mouth piece 204 forms a secondmouth opening 204A that extends entirely through the second mouth piece204. The second source piece 206 forms a second aperture 206A (as shownin FIGS. 2B and 2C) that extends entirely through the second sourcepiece 206. The second mouth piece 204 and/or the second source piece 206may be or comprise an durable elastic material, such as silicone, orother suitable durable elastic material known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2B, FIG.2B is an exploded perspective view of the second device 200. The secondorthogonal tube 202 presents both and an orthogonal inner perimeter 202Cand an orthogonal outer perimeter 202D. A second filter element 208 isshaped and sized to fit within the second orthogonal tube 202 while thesecond mouth piece 204 and the second source piece 206 are eachrespectively coupled to different opposite orthogonal ends 202A & 202Bof the second orthogonal tube 202 by respective detachable frictionfits. The second filter element 208 may be or comprise the particulatefiltering material 108A, such as but not limited to activated carbon,and/or the particulate filtering paper 108B. The second filter element208 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2C, FIG.2C is an exploded side view of the second device 200. The second mouthpiece 204 includes a second upper piece 204B attached to a second mouthside stopper 204C, wherein second the mouth opening 204A extendsentirely through both the second upper piece 204B and the second mouthside stopper 204C. The second mouth side stopper 204C is sized andshaped to establish a detachable friction fit with when manually pressedinto the second orthogonal tube 202 at either second tube end 202A &202B of the second orthogonal tube 202. The second source piece 206includes a second source ledge 206B attached to a second source sidestopper 206C, wherein the second source aperture 206A extends entirelythrough both the second source ledge 206B and the second source sidestopper 206C. The second source side stopper 206C is sized and shaped toestablish a detachable friction fit with the second orthogonal tube 202when manually pressed into the second orthogonal tube 202 at eithersecond tube end 202A & 202B of the second orthogonal tube 202.

The second source piece aperture 206A has a cross sectional area in aplane normal to the central axis A that is either less than one half orless than one quarter of a cross sectional area of a second source pieceouter perimeter 206D of the second source piece 206.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3A, FIG.3A is a perspective view of a third device 300 in an assembled state andincluding a third elliptical tube 302 presenting an ellipticalcross-section normal to the central axis A. The third device 300 ispreferably symmetric about the central axis A.

The third device includes the third elliptical tube 302, a third mouthpiece 304 and a third source piece 306. Both the third mouth piece 304and the third source piece 306 are shaped to couple by detachablefriction fit with opposite elliptical ends 302A & 302B of the thirdelliptical tube 302. The third mouth piece 304 forms a third mouthopening 304A that extends entirely through the third mouth piece 304.The third source piece 306 forms a third aperture 306A (as shown inFIGS. 3B and 3C) that extends entirely through the third source piece306.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3B, FIG.1B is an exploded perspective view of the third device 300. The thirdelliptical tube 302 presents both and an elliptical inner perimeter 302Aand an elliptical outer perimeter 302B. A third filter element 308 isshaped and sized to fit within the third elliptical tube 302 while thethird mouth piece 304 and the third source piece 306 are eachrespectively coupled to different opposite elliptical ends 302A & 302Bof the third elliptical tube 302 by respective detachable friction fits.The third mouth piece 304 and/or the third source piece 306 may be orcomprise an durable elastic material, such as silicone, or othersuitable durable elastic material known in the art. The third filterelement 308 may be or comprise the particulate filtering material 108Aand/or the particulate filtering paper 108B. The third filter element308 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3C, FIG.3C is an exploded side view of the third device 300. The third mouthpiece 304 includes a third upper piece 30413 attached to a third mouthside stopper 304C, wherein third the mouth opening 304A extends entirelythrough both the third upper piece 304B and the third mouth side stopper304C. The third mouth side stopper 304C is sized and shaped to establisha detachable friction fit with when manually pressed into the thirdelliptical tube 302 at either third tube end 302A & 302B of the thirdelliptical tube 302. The third source piece 306 includes a third sourceledge 306B attached to a third source side stopper 306C, wherein thethird source aperture 306A extends entirely through both the thirdsource ledge 306B and the third source side stopper 306C. The thirdsource side stopper 306C is sized and shaped to establish a detachablefriction fit with the third elliptical tube 302 when manually pressedinto the third elliptical tube 302 at either third tube end 302A & 302Bof the third elliptical tube 302.

The third source piece aperture has a cross sectional area in a planenormal to the central axis A either that is less than one half or lessthan one quarter of a cross sectional area of a third source piece outerperimeter 306D of the third source piece 306.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4A, FIG.4A is a perspective view of an alternate first source piece 400 of thefirst device 100 of FIG. 1A, wherein the alternate first source piece400 includes a first extended ledge 402 attached to the first sourceside stopper 106C. The inclusion of the first source side stopper 106Cin the alternate first source piece 400 enables the alternate firstsource piece 400 to be coupled by detachable friction fit with thecircular tube 102.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4B, FIG.4B is a perspective view of an alternate second source piece 404 of thesecond device 200 of FIG. 2A, wherein the alternate second source piece404 includes a second extended ledge 406 attached to the second sourceside stopper 206C. The inclusion of the second source side stopper 206Cin the alternate second source piece 404 enables the alternate secondsource piece 404 to be coupled by detachable friction fit with thesecond orthogonal tube 202.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4C, FIG.4C is a perspective view of an alternate third source piece 408 of thethird device 300 of FIG. 3A, wherein the alternate third source piece408 includes a third extended ledge 410 attached to the third sourceside stopper 306C. The inclusion of the third source side stopper 306Cin the alternate third source piece 408 enables the alternate thirdsource piece 408 to be coupled by detachable friction fit with theelliptical tube 302.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5A, FIG.5A is a perspective view of an additional alternate first source piece500 of the first device 100 of FIG. 1A, wherein the additional alternatefirst source piece 500 forms an alternate first intake aperture 502A.The alternate first intake aperture 502 extends fully through theadditional alternate first source piece 500, to include extending fullythrough a second circular source side stopper 503. The second circularsource side stopper 503 is sized and shaped to establish a detachablefriction fit with the first circular tube 102 when manually pressed intothe first circular tube 102 at either first tube end 102A & 102B of thefirst circular tube 102.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5B, FIG.5B is a perspective view of an additional alternate second source piece504 of the second device 200 of FIG. 2A, wherein the additionalalternate second source piece 504 forms an alternate second intakeaperture 506. The alternate second intake aperture 506 extends fullythrough the additional alternate second source piece 504, to includeextending fully through a second orthogonal source side stopper 505. Thesecond orthogonal source side stopper 505 is sized and shaped toestablish a detachable friction fit with the second orthogonal tube 202when manually pressed into the second orthogonal tube 202 at eitherorthogonal tube end 202A & 202B of the second orthogonal tube 202.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5C, FIG.5C is a perspective view of an additional alternate third source piece508 of the third device 300 of FIG. 3A, wherein the additional alternatethird source piece 508 forms an alternate third intake aperture 510. Thealternate third intake aperture 510 extends frilly through theadditional alternate first. source piece 508, to include extending fullythrough a second elliptical source side stopper 511. The secondelliptical source side stopper 511 is sized and shaped to establish adetachable friction fit with the third elliptical tube 302 when manuallypressed into the third elliptical tube 302 at either elliptical tube end302A & 302B of the third elliptical tube 302.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6A, FIG.6A is a perspective view of an alternate first mouth piece 600 of thefirst device 100 of FIG. 1A, wherein the alternate first mouth piece 600forms an alternate first mouth opening 602. The alternate first mouthopening 602 extends fully through the alternate first mouth piece 600,to include extending fully through a second circular mouth side stopper603. The second circular mouth side stopper 603 is sized and shaped toestablish a detachable friction fit with the first circular tube 102when manually pressed into the first circular tube 102 at either firsttube end 102A & 102B of the first circular tube 102.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6B, FIG.6B is a perspective view of an alternate second mouth piece 604 of thesecond device 200 of FIG. 2A, wherein the alternate second mouth piece604 forms an alternate second mouth opening 606. The alternate secondmouth opening 606 extends fully through the alternate second mouth piece604, to include extending fully through a second orthogonal mouth sidestopper 607. The second orthogonal mouth side stopper 607 is sized andshaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the second orthogonaltube 202 when manually pressed into the second orthogonal tube 202 ateither orthogonal tube end 202A & 202B of the second orthogonal tube202.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6C, FIG.6C is a perspective view of an alternate third mouth piece 608 of thethird device 300 of FIG. 3A, wherein the alternate third mouth piece 608forms an alternate second mouth opening 610. The alternate third mouthopening 610 extends fully through the alternate third mouth piece 608,to include extending fully through a second elliptical source sidestopper 611. The second elliptical mouth side stopper 611 is sized andshaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the third ellipticaltube 302 when manually pressed into the third elliptical tube 302 ateither elliptical tube end 302A & 302B of the third elliptical tube 302.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 7, FIG.700 is a cut-away side view of a unitary pipe 700 that contains acaptured pipe filter 702 disposed and captured between a stem piece 704and a bowl piece 706. The stem piece 704 and the bowl piece 706 may bepermanently attached and be comprised within a unitary constructionwhereby the captured pipe filter 702 is not easily removable from theunitary pipe 700 without damaging the function and structure of theunitary pipe 700.

The unitary pipe filter 702 comprises a unitary pipe filter material 708and/or a unitary filter paper 710. The unitary filter paper 710 isshaped and sized to contain the unitary filter material 708. The unitaryfilter material 708 may be or comprise a smoke-permeable filteringmaterial such as, but not limited to, activated carbon and/or othersuitable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering materialand/or vapor -filtering material known in the art. The unitary filterpaper 710 may be or comprise a suitable smoke-permeableparticulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering material and/orvapor-filtering material known in the art. The unitary pipe filter 702is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

The bowl piece 706 and the stem piece 704 in combination form aninternal smoke pathway 712 in which the captured pipe filter 702 isdisposed. The internal smoke pathway 712 enables vapors and gases topass through the captured pipe filter 702. An internal lower pipe lip714 supports the captured pipe filter 702 and impedes the captured pipefilter 702 from moving toward the bowl piece 706 within the unitary pipe700. An internal upper pipe lip the supports the captured pipe filter702 and impedes the captured pipe filter 702 from moving toward the stempiece 704 within the unitary pipe 700. The internal lower pipe lip 714and the internal upper pipe lip 716 in combination maintain the positionof the captured pipe filter 702 as disposed within the internal smokepathway 712 whereby smoke, gas and vapors passing through captured pipefilter 702 are cleansed.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 8A andFIG. 8B, FIG. 8A is a cut-away side view of a second pipe 800 thatcontains a removable pipe filter 802 that is removably disposed betweena detachable stem piece 804 and a detachable bowl piece 806. Thedetachable stem piece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806 may bedetachably attached by a friction fit of the detachable stem piece 804with the detachable bowl piece 806. Alternatively, the detachable stempiece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806 may be detachably attachableby suitable means and known in the art, such as but not limited to, acomplementary tapped and threaded section respectively of the detachablestem piece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806, or a complementarythreaded and tapped section respectively of the detachable stem piece804 and the detachable bowl piece 806.

The removable pipe filter 802 comprises a removable pipe filter material808 and/or a removable filter paper 810. The removable filter paper 810is shaped and sized to contain the removable filter material 808. Theremovable filter material 808 may be or comprise a smoke-permeablefiltering material such as, but not limited to, activated carbon and/orother suitable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering materialand/or vapor-filtering material known in the art. The removable filterpaper 810 may be or comprise a suitable smoke-permeableparticulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering material and/orvapor-filtering material known in the art.

The detachable bowl piece 806 and the detachable stem piece 804 incombination form an alternate internal smoke pathway 812 in which theremovable pipe filter 802 is disposed. The alternate internal smokepathway 812 enables vapors and gases to pass through the removable pipefilter 802.

An internal bowl lip 814 supports the removable pipe filter 802 andimpedes the removable pipe filter 802 from moving further into thedetachable bowl piece 806 within the second pipe 800. An internal stempipe lip 816 supports the removable pipe filter 802 and impedes theremovable pipe filter 802 from moving further into the detachable steinpiece 804 within the second pipe 800. When the detachable stein piece804 and the detachable bowl piece 806 are coupled in the attachedposition as shown in FIG. 8A, the internal bowl lip 814 and the internalstem pipe lip 816 in combination maintain the position of the removablepipe filter 802 as disposed within the alternate internal smoke pathway812 whereby smoke, gas or vapors passing through removable pipe filter802 is cleansed. The unitary pipe filter 702 is optionally disposableand/or reusable.

It is understood that the internal stem pipe lip 816 is sized and shapedto form a friction fit of the detachable stem piece 804 with thedetachable bowl piece 806 when the internal stem pipe lip 816 isinserted into the detachable bowl piece 806 as presented in FIG. 8A.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 8A andFIG. 8B, FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the second pipe 800. Theremovable pipe filter 802 is shown as removed form the second pipe 800,and the detachable stem piece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806 areshown in a decoupled state.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 9, FIG.9 is a cut-away side view of a water pipe 900 that contains a water pipefilter 902 that is removably disposed and between a detachable waterpipe stem piece 904 and a detachable water pipe bowl piece 906.

The detachable water pipe stem piece 904 and the detachable howl piece906 may be detachably attached by a manual placement of the detachablewater pipe stem piece 904 into a receiving end 908 the detachable bowlpiece 906. A lower lip 908A of the receiving end 908 supports the waterpipe filter 902 and impedes the water pipe filter 902 from passingbeyond the lower lip 908A and further into the water pipe bowl 906. Anupper lip 908B of the receiving end 908 receives and supports the waterpipe stem 904 impedes the water pipe stem 904 from from passing beyondthe upper lip 908B and further into the water pipe bowl 906.

Alternatively, the detachable water pipe stem piece 904 and thedetachable water pipe bowl piece 906 may be detachably attachable bysuitable means and known in the art, such as but not limited to, afriction fit of the detachable water pipe stem piece 904 with thedetachable water pipe bowl piece 906, or by means of a complementarythreaded section and a tapped section respectively of the detachablewater pipe stem piece 904 and the detachable water pipe howl piece 906,or by means of a complementary tapped section and a threaded sectionrespectively of the detachable water pipe stein piece 904 and thedetachable water pipe bowl piece 906.

The removable water pipe filter 902 comprises a water pipe filtermaterial 910 and/or a water pipe filter paper 912. The water pipe filterpaper 912 is optionally shaped and sized to contain the water pipefilter material 910. The filter water pipe filter material 910 may be orcomprise a smoke-permeable filtering material such as, but not limitedto, activated carbon and/or other suitable particulate-filteringmaterial, liquid-filtering material and/or vapor -filtering materialknown in the art. The water filter paper 912 may be or comprise asuitable smoke-permeable particulate-filtering material,liquid-filtering material and/or vapor-filtering material known in theart. The removable water pipe filter 902 is optionally disposable and/orreusable.

The water pipe bowl piece 906 and the water pipe stem piece 904 incombination form a water pipe internal smoke pathway 914 in which theremovable water pipe filter 902 is disposed. The water pipe internalsmoke pathway 914 enables vapors and gases to pass through the removablewater pipe filter 902.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 10, FIG.10 is a cut-away side view of an invented e-cigarette 1000 that containsan alternate airway filter 1002. The invented e-cigarette device 1000may be one of a number of commercially available electronic cigarettes,such as a PRO™ electronic cigarette, a PLUS+™ electronic cigarette, or aBLU™ electronic cigarette as marketed by Fontem US, Inc. of 10901 S.Commerce Blvd., Suite B Charlotte, N.C.

The airway filter 1002 may optionally be either a unitary element thatis emplaced within a tubular frame 1004 of the e-cigarette device 1000.Optionally, additionally or alternatively the airway filter 1002 may becoupled with an e-cigarette cartridge 1006. The invented e-cigarettedevice 1000 and the airway filter 1002 may further optionally be adaptedto enable removable and replacable emplacement of the airway filter 1002and/or the e-cigarette cartridge 1006.

The invented e-cigarette device 1000 preferably additionally includes amouthpiece 1008 that is coupled with the tubular frame 1004. Theinvented e-cigarette device 1000 may further include one or more priorart elements, such as a heating element 1010, a controller 1012, anon/off switch 1014, an electrical energy battery 1016 and/or a lightemitting indicator 1018. The controller 1012 may be a prior artmicroprocessor, microcontroller or logic device that directs theoperation of the invented e-cigarette device 1000 in providing vapor orgas to a user (not shown). More particularly, the controller 1012controls the enablement and disablement of the heating element 1010, thelight emitting indicator 1018, and flow of electrical energy from thebattery 1016. The user manipulates the on/off switch 1014 to direct theoperations of the controller 1012. The controller 1012 optionallyenables the light emitting indicator 1018 to be in a light emittingstate when the heating element 1010 is placed in a heating state.

The airway filter 1002 may be or comprise (a.) a smoke-permeablefiltering material such as, but not limited to, activated carbon and/orother suitable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering materialand/or vapor-filtering material known in the art; and/or (b.) a suitablesmoke-permeable particulate-filtering sheet or fabric, liquid-filteringsheet or fabric and/or vapor-filtering sheet or fabric. The airwayfilter 1002 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as“substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean areasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the endresult is not significantly changed.

While selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the inventedsystem, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that various changes and modifications can be made hereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientationof the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired.Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each othercan have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions ofone element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures andfunctions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment, it isnot necessary for all advantages to be present in a particularembodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from theprior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should beconsidered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

I claim:
 1. A device comprising: a tube comprising a tubular sidewallextending along a central axis and forming a channel parallel with thecentral axis, the side walls forming a mouth end and a source end, themouth end positioned distally along the central axis from the sourceend; a mouth piece coupled with the mouth end, the mouth piece exposingat least half of a cross sectional area of the channel, the crosssectional area formed on a plane normal to the central axis; and asource piece coupled with the source end, the source piece comprising anextending element that forms an aperture and the extending element isadapted to be removable positioned against an output of a smoking pipe,whereby an inhalant is enabled to enter the channel through the apertureand exit through the mouth piece.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thetube presents a circular cross-sectional area normal to the centralaxis.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the tube presents an ellipticalcross-sectional area normal to the central axis.
 4. The device of claim1, wherein the tube presents an orthogonal cross-sectional area normalto the central axis.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the mouth pieceis elastic.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the source piece iselastic.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the source piece aperture hasa cross sectional area less than one half of a cross sectional area ofthe source end.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the source pieceaperture has a cross sectional area less than one quarter of a crosssectional area of the source end.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thesource piece further comprises a ledge that extends outwardly from thecentral axis and beyond the tubular sidewall.
 10. The device of claim 1,wherein the source piece further comprises a ledge that extendsoutwardly from the central axis and beyond the tubular sidewall.
 11. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the source piece ledge is elastic.
 12. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the source piece ledge comprises silicone.13. The device of claim 10, wherein the source piece ledge extendsoutwardly from the central axis and away from the tube.
 14. The deviceof claim 10, wherein the source piece ledge forms a surface area largerthan the cross-sectional area normal to the central axis of the tube.15. The device of claim 1, wherein the source piece is detachablycoupled with the tube.
 16. The device of claim 15, further comprising aplurality of source pieces, wherein each source piece of the pluralityof source pieces is detachably attachable with the tube.
 17. The deviceof claim 15, wherein the source piece further comprises a ledge thatextends outwardly from the central axis and beyond the tubular sidewall.18. The device of claim 15, wherein the source piece ledge forms asurface area larger than the cross-sectional area normal to the centralaxis of the tube.
 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the mouth piececomprises silicone.
 19. The device of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of mouth pieces, wherein the mouth piece and each mouth pieceof the plurality of mouth pieces is detachably attachable with the tube.20. The device of claim 1, further comprising a filter, the filterdisposed within the tube.
 21. The device of claim 20, wherein the filtercomprises activated carbon.
 22. The device of claim 20, wherein thefilter comprises a particulate filtering material.
 23. The device ofclaim 20, wherein the filter comprises a filtering paper.
 24. The deviceof claim 20, wherein the filter comprises a particulate filteringmaterial contained within a smoke-permeable wrapping.
 25. The device ofclaim 24, wherein the filter is adapted for insertion within and removalfrom the tube.
 27. A smoking pipe comprising: a bowl; a stem, the stemcoupled with the bowl, wherein the bowl and stem in combination form aninternal smoke pathway; and a filter disposed within the smoke pathway.28. The smoking pipe of claim 27, wherein the filter comprises activatedcarbon.
 29. A smoking pipe comprising: a bowl; a stem, the stemdetachably coupled with the bowl, wherein the bowl and stem incombination form an internal smoke pathway; and a filter disposed withinthe smoke pathway.
 30. The smoking pipe of claim 29, wherein the filtercomprises activated carbon.
 31. The smoking pipe of claim 29, whereinthe filter is removable and replacable when the stem is detached fromthe bowl.